Drapes and swathes

Are you disappointed by the simplicity of most current styles ? Would you like to be more exuberant with fabric? There are some designers who meet your needs.

Haider Ackermann is king of the catwalk drapes this season (much ‘rock chick’ as well).

And Elie Saab is king of the body fitting red carpet version. Mainly lace in his couture collection this season.

There are several patterns in this style, especially in the last couple of pattern issues. Nearly all for dresses.

And all for knits. It is possible to drape in wovens, especially good crepes. But it does need care with fitting to a specific body shape, so the drapes fall properly. Not something to be made quickly.

Or how about this, for people who think two-piece dresses are essentially dowdy 😀 Donna Karan Vogue 1259

– – –

Japanese pattern books

If you enjoy a puzzle, there are a couple of Japanese pattern books. Instructions in Japanese. . . I haven’t seen these specific books, but other similar books have full sized traceable pattern sheets, and excellent illustrations in the instructions.